Accessing Ontario's Home Energy Retrofit Program

 

Thinking about improving your homes efficiency why not when Onario's Government is pitching in??

Now Helping Ontarians to save energy, save money and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Ontario Home Energy Retrofit Program provides homeowners with grants of up to $5,000 for home energy improvements. Here's how Ontarians can access the program:

 

 Step 1 : Phone the Ministry's 1-888-668-4636 information hotline or visit the Ministry's website at www.energy.gov.on.ca for program information.

 

 Step 2 : Follow the web site links to get a list of licensed home auditors in your community. (I had quotes from $150 upto $500) 

 

 Step 3 : Get quotes from several licensed home auditors and book the audit. The auditor will provide a thorough basement to attic assessment of the home's energy use and will provide a written report on ways to save energy and information on grant amounts available for various measures.

 

 

 Step 4 : The report is submitted by the auditor to Natural Resources Canada and on notification that a qualifying audit has been completed, Ontario reimburses the homeowner 50 per cent of the cost of this first audit up to $150. The homeowner has up to 18 months to complete work on the recommendations.

Examples of possible measures include installing a solar-powered domestic water heating system, installing a high-efficiency gas furnace or replacing an old central air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR model.

 

 Step 5 : When work is completed, contact your licensed auditor to book a verification audit. The auditor returns and verifies which of the recommended measures have been installed and measures the efficiency improvement in the home. There may be a cost for this audit. The auditor completes the paperwork to apply for the grants and submits it on behalf of the homeowner. The maximum grant is $5,000 for a home from the province, and $5,000 from Natural Resources Canada.

Ontario reimburses the homeowner based on the measures undertaken and the rebate amount allowed for each component. Natural Resources Canada also provides reimbursement for the measures covered under its program. The homeowner may also apply to programs offered by the Ontario Power Authority or their gas utility for other incentives that may be offered to further reduce the costs. Also, for renewable energy installations, the province has extended the PST rebate to January 1, 2010, which can provide additional savings.

Some Examples of Retrofit Measures, Estimated Costs and Rebates

The following are three examples of retrofits covered by the program, including the estimated costs, rebates to consumers, representative energy savings calculations, and the estimated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions per year.

A) Installing a New Solar Powered Hot Water System

The following are the estimated costs and rebates for installing a solar powered water system:

Estimated Costs

• Solar water system: $5,000 - $6,000
• Home energy audit: $300

Rebates

• Ontario home energy audit rebate: $150 ( Ontario pays 50 per cent of cost, up to $150)
• Ontario PST rebate: $170 - $204
• Ontario rebate: $500
• Federal rebate: $500

 

 Total rebates : $1320 to $1354

A typical family of four will also save approximately 2700 kWh or $325 per year by supplementing their electric water heater with a solar water heater. If the solar water heater is supplementing a gas water heater, the savings would be $200 per year.

Annual estimated GHG reductions would be 600 kg if replacing an electric water heater, or 760 kg if replacing a gas water heater.

 

B) Installing a high-efficiency furnace with a high-efficiency fan motor (to replace a 20-year old gas furnace)

The following are the estimated costs and rebates for installing a high-efficiency furnace and motor.:

Estimated Costs

• High efficiency furnace: $4000
• Home energy audit: $300

Rebates

• Ontario home energy audit rebate: $150
• Ontario rebate: $500
• Ontario Power Authority rebate: $250
• Enbridge rebate: $100
• Federal rebate: $500

Total rebates : $1500

A typical family of four will also save approximately $330 per year (470 cubic meters of gas and 800 kWh of electricity).

Annual estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions would be 1070 kg for replacing an older furnace with a high-efficiency furnace.

 

 C) Replacing old central air system (10–15 years old) with an Energy Star central air system

The following are the estimated costs and rebates for installing an Energy Star central air system:

Estimated Costs

• Energy Star central air conditioner: $3000
• Home energy audit: $300

Rebates

• Ontario home energy audit rebate: $150
• Ontario rebate: $200
• Ontario Power Authority rebate: $350
• Enbridge rebate: $100
• Federal rebate: $200

 Total rebates : $1000

A typical family of four will also save approximately $40 per year (350 kWh of electricity).

Annual estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions would be 75 kg for replacing an old air conditioner with a new Energy Star air conditioner.